Innovative students from across SA have come together for the annual CESA STEM MAD Showcase.
The Showcase is the culmination of months of work by students in Years 3 to 12 across Catholic Education SA (CESA) schools to design a product, service or innovation to Make A Difference (MAD) to others or the environment.
Held on August 12 at the Adelaide Convention Centre, the event saw its highest participation ever, with over 35 submissions culminating in student teams from eleven Catholic schools showcasing their STEM innovations:
The teams showcased their designs that give innovative solutions to real-world problems using Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technologies, at the event kindly sponsored by Adelaide-based Lumination, Makers Empire and the Andy Thomas Space Foundation, as well as Microsoft.
Students had an opportunity to meet keynote speaker Dr Sarah Cannard, Industry Director at SMARTSAT CRC who shared the space development projects she is currently working on. Sarah was recently named the Female Space Leader of the Year at the Australian Space Awards 2022.
“The STEM MAD Student Showcase is a wonderful celebration of student learning that addresses real-world problems,” said John Mula, Deputy Director, Catholic Education South Australia.
“STEM MAD provides an opportunity to live out the values of Catholic Schools to make a difference (MAD) in the world by acting for justice and the common good and it aligns with the papal call for action in Laudato Si': On Care for our Common Home.”
Through Terms 1 and 2, the student groups used design thinking processes to develop their project and submit a 3 ½ minute video identifying a read-world problem and sharing their creative solution.
Shortlisted teams then came together at the Showcase to present their projects with working models or digital prototypes. Each team shared their video submission with the judging panel and answered questions regarding their ideas and solutions.
The amazing calibre of the work made the decision making very difficult for judges Adj. Professor Nicola Sasanelli AM, CEO, Andy Thomas Space Foundation, Mandi Dimitriadis, Director of Learning, Makers Empire, Rebecca Bendikov, Head of Educational Programs, Lumination, John Mula OAM, Deputy Director, Catholic Education South Australia, Teresa Cimmino, Manager of Learning and Wellbeing, Catholic Education South Australia and Louise Murphy, Pathways and Transition Advisor, Catholic Education South Australia.
Congratulations to the placing teams:
1st Place Primary: St Joseph’s School, Payneham with ‘Bacteria Blockers’ by students Arky, Sirat, Matthew and Ash
1st Place Secondary: St Aloysius College, Adelaide with ‘Anxiety App’ by student Imogen
2nd Place Primary: Whitefriars Catholic School, Woodville Park with ‘Junk Sorter 2000’
2nd Place Secondary: St Aloysius College with ‘Alzheimer’s Assistance App’
3rd Place Primary: St Joseph’s School, Kingswood with ‘Ocean Oil Filter’
3rd Place Secondary: St Joseph’s School, Clare with ‘Bottle Cap Water Filter’
4th Place Primary: St Barbara’s Parish School, Roxby Downs with ‘Educational Robot’
4th Place Secondary: Gleeson College, Golden Grove with ‘STEM Yarns’
Selected schools will have their videos submitted to the National Catholic Education STEM MAD Showcase along with many other dioceses across the country.
Did you know that Catholic Education SA currently offers 54 Supported Playgroups located in our Catholic schools across SA?
Each one is available to and welcomes children aged birth to five, and their families from their local community.
